Stormers sticking to their gameplan

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee says they will not deviate from their much-maligned gameplan as they prepare to confront the Reds on Saturday.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee says they will not deviate from their much-maligned gameplan, as they prepare to confront the Reds at Newlands on Saturday.

The Stormers’ defensive approach earned them back-to-back South African Conference titles in 2011 and 2012, but the Cape side have managed just four wins after 11 games this season.

They find themselves in 11th place on the log and fourth in the South African Conference, which has forced the management team to take a hard look at their gameplan.

Coetzee on Tuesday said they have full faith in their strategy and will stick to their structures against the fourth-placed Reds in their first match back from their disastrous Australasian tour.

“We’re not doubting ourselves and nothing has changed [as far as strategy is concerned],” said Coetzee.

“Unforced errors have been the most disappointing aspect of our game but it’s definitely not a gameplan problem.

“We would like to make sure that we utilise turnover possession more effectively by keeping ball in hand and having a full go. That’s one part of our attack that we need to improve.”

Coetzee said the team will continue to put the emphasis on set-piece play.

“It’s important for us to improve on our set-piece. You can’t have a good attack if you don’t have a proper scrum on the right shoulder and you can’t have a line-out attack if you don’t get clean ball, and that has improved,” he said.

“Scoring off first phase is first prize but you can’t do it with a dominant set-piece.”

Coetzee conceded that the injury-ravaged squad are low on confidence after winning just one match on tour and said it’s vital that they break their three-match losing streak this weekend.

“It’s one of the most difficult tours I’ve experienced. What made it so difficult was the way we lost. We lost a number of games in the last five minutes, which is tough to absorb and understand when you have the momentum swing and you can’t put your finger on where it went wrong.

“Losing is never easy. It’s the first time we’ve gone three on the trot in a long while that’s why this weekend’s game is important, to get back to winning ways. We’re playing against one of the best sides in the competition, we realise that, but we have to get back to winning again - it doesn’t matter how.”